Plans for racecourse fight fund

CAMPAIGNERS are aiming to raise a £50,000 'war chest' to fight plans to build a £100m racecourse.

More than a hundred protestors packed a public meeting to discuss the proposals to build the huge development, which includes an international golf course, hotel and equestrian centre, at Salford Forest Park.

CAMPAIGNERS are aiming to raise a £50,000 'war chest' to fight plans to build a £100m racecourse.

More than a hundred protestors packed a public meeting to discuss the proposals to build the huge development, which includes an international golf course, hotel and equestrian centre, at Salford Forest Park.

Members of campaign group RAGE, Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion, met at St Mark's Church, Worsley, and revealed plans to set up a fighting fund to employ a legal team to fight the proposals at a public inquiry.

A patron's club will be set up and regular fundraising activities held. Initial donations of more than £800 were made at the meeting.

Property giants Peel Holdings are behind the ambitious scheme and will now ask the government to intervene at a public enquiry, accusing Salford and Wigan councils of stalling on making a decision. A date for the enquiry hearing has yet to be set but the M.E.N. can reveal it is likely to be held around Easter next year.

RAGE said the plans would lead to a 'colossal urbanisation' of more than 2,000 acres of greenbelt land.

A spokesman said: "Peel Holdings are going for broke with their appeal against the entirely justified delays by Salford and Wigan councils in dealing with their planning application. It would lead to a colossal urbanisation of our greenbelt, cause yet more traffic congestion, and subject thousands of local residents to fly parking and noise and light pollution.

Traffic

"We estimate something like 10,000 cars and coaches could flood the area adding to the major traffic problems we experience at the motorway junctions and the surrounding roads."

Salford councillor Karen Garrido, leader of the Tory opposition on Salford council, and her husband Robin, also a councillor in Boothstown and Ellenbrook, are active campaigners. Robin, co-chairman of RAGE, said: "We have launched an appeal for £50,000, which is what we expect it will cost to fight the plans. We are asking for donations.

"There were more than 100 people at the meeting, which was excellent. The first application was lodged years ago and the attendance shows that people's views have not dwindled."

The plan, based on land next to Botany Bay Wood, off Leigh Road, was first unveiled by Peel, owners of the Trafford Centre, six years ago but withdrawn then scaled down and re-submitted for planning approval after an outcry in June 2004. The plans were again re-submitted last year, with changes to traffic filtering off the M60 at Worsley.

Salford council's planning committee will meet on December 18 to discuss the proposals - although the ultimate say will lie in the hands of the planning inspector.

Coun Garrido said campaigners would attend the meeting. He added: "It is not just a racecourse. It will be a massive development. There will be something on for 52 weeks of the year. It is not just monthly race meets.

"The racecourse stand will be as tall as the Reebok Stadium and there will be traffic gridlock."

Issues surrounding the development's use of the M60 motorway have yet to be agreed.

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